Our new Old Glow collection celebrates the beauty of antique-cut diamonds that were cut more than a century ago. True to its name, Old Glow captures the timeless radiance of diamonds from another era.
In this article, we'd like to introduce the two classic antique diamond cuts featured in the collection: Old Mine Cut and Old European Cut.
What Is an Old Mine Cut?
The Old Mine Cut (OMC) is one of the earliest brilliant-style diamond cuts. Developed by the Venetian diamond cutter Vincenzo Peruzzi in the late 17th century, it became the most popular diamond cut from the early 18th century through the late 19th century.
Often regarded as the predecessor of today's round brilliant cut, the Old Mine Cut has a squarer outline, resembling what we now call a cushion shape. One of its defining characteristics is its large open culet—a small polished facet at the bottom of the diamond that can sometimes appear as a tiny hole when viewed from above.
Image source: Central Gem Laboratory (CGL)
What Is an Old European Cut?
The Old European Cut (OEC) emerged shortly after the Old Mine Cut and became increasingly popular as diamond-cutting techniques improved during the late 19th century.
Like the Old Mine Cut, it features 58 facets, but its outline is fully round, making it the direct predecessor of the modern round brilliant cut. The culet is also smaller, giving the stone a more refined appearance while preserving the distinctive charm of antique cutting.
Image source: Central Gem Laboratory (CGL)
Why Antique-Cut Diamonds Are So Special
Every Diamond Is One of a Kind
Diamond-cutting machines were not invented until 1874, so antique diamonds were cut entirely by hand.
As a result, no two stones are exactly alike. Each has its own proportions, personality, and subtle asymmetry. These characteristics would rarely be seen in modern diamonds, where precision and consistency are paramount.
Rather than flaws, these gentle irregularities tell the story of the artisan who shaped the stone by hand, giving each diamond a unique character that cannot be replicated.
A Softer, More Romantic Glow
If modern round brilliant diamonds sparkle with dazzling brilliance, antique-cut diamonds glow with a softer, more liquid light.
Their larger facets reflect light in broad flashes instead of countless tiny sparkles, creating a gentle, almost candlelit radiance.
These diamonds were originally cut in an era before electric lighting. They were designed to come alive under the warm glow of candlelight, making their beauty especially captivating in the evening or under soft ambient light.
How to Choose an Antique Diamond
Most people are familiar with the 4Cs—Cut, Colour, Carat, and Clarity—which are used worldwide to evaluate modern diamonds. At Jewellery Wanderlust, all diamonds weighing 0.20 carats or more are accompanied by a grading report from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
However, antique diamonds are not easily judged by modern grading standards.
Because they were cut more than a century ago, using different techniques and aesthetic ideals, many antique diamonds receive relatively modest grades when evaluated solely by today's criteria. Yet those same characteristics are often what make them so fascinating.
When choosing an antique diamond, we believe the most important guide is not a grading report, but your own eye and intuition.
Rather than searching for the "highest grade," look for the diamond that speaks to you—the one whose character and beauty feel uniquely yours.
At Jewellery Wanderlust, we look forward to expanding our collection of antique diamonds and introducing more exceptional stones in the future.
Each antique diamond is truly one of a kind, carrying a history that can never be repeated. We hope you enjoy the experience of discovering the piece that feels destined for you.
Explore the Old Glow Collection.